7 big problems–and solutions–in education

Solving these problems could be a key step to boosting innovation

Education has 99 problems, but the desire to solve those problems isn’t one. But because we can’t cover 99 problems in one story, we’ll focus on seven, which the League of Innovative Schools identified as critical to educational innovation.

While these aren’t the only challenges that education faces today, these seven problems are often identified as roadblocks that prevent schools and districts from embracing innovation.

Problem No. 1: There exist a handful of obstacles that prevent a more competency-based education system

Comments:

cclaytonr

May 9, 2014 at 1:41 pm

Couldn’t agree more with #6. Stale and static pd sessions are offensive and draining to both teachers and the profession. Thankfully, the increasing number of quality online pd solutions are changing the nature of teacher pd. I work with a group offering a comprehensive online pd platform that includes online modules, badging, a social community and and extensive teacher-developed resource library. Best thing is that it’s available to K-12 teachers when and where they want it. No more lectures and powerpoints. Caroline @VIFLearn

chitchcock

May 12, 2014 at 1:10 pm

Regarding Problem No. 6: School districts do not have evidence-based processes to evaluate, select, and monitor digital content inclusive of aligned formative assessments.
> I was very pleased to see the reference to the inclusion of aligned formative assessments and can only hope that the evaluation, selection and monitoring process will also consider the need to purchase digital learning materials that are accessible and usable by all learners, including those with sensory, physical, affective and cognitive disabilities.

johnhowells707@gmail.com

May 12, 2014 at 7:44 pm

In my experience the most difficult issue is to give the teacher the type of experience that you wish them to provide for the student. It is always assumed that the teacher immediately understands the innovation. In asking teachers to change there are a number of steps that must be allowed for :-
denial or not engaging (quite often belief it will go away)
engagement (starts to believe it is worth considering)
experience ( opportunity to process the issue)
adoption (willing to accept now possible)
adaption (working to change practice)

The other fundamental in this situation is the role of the leader are they seen to be participating and adapting and acting as leader practitioner, and are they generally engaging in dialogue and being supportive of the approach. Constructive criticism of the innovation is also essential to tease out the issues.

Drucker states in “Innovation and Enterprise”. That you can not turn innovation on and off. You must have a culture of innovation that runs through your organisation and I believe that this is essential.

dalin

May 28, 2014 at 3:13 pm

The major issue is understanding what is pedagogy. There is a need to understand how human being learn to understand and than to focus on implementing this pedagogical approach.
Human being learn since birth through visualization and exploration of what they see using their senses.
Traditional education, which still govern all eucational systems are based and focus on memorization.Therefore students are directed to remember in order to pass tests and exams (and mostly forgetting what they learned afterward.
The real revolution in education shoold and must be a Pedagogical Revolution . It can be achieved by proper integration of technology to provide Visual – Dynamic – Quantitative Presentations and interactive tools for exploration. It will lead every stusent to discovery and understading and as a result SUCCESS.
See examples and explanations at : http://www.mathematix.com
or contact for further information to: dalin@mathematix.com